Chapter 114
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: The Regressor Makes Everything
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"Mind if we talk for a bit? Got some time?"
Ren approached with a friendly tone, despite this being their first meeting since the exchange event. Lee Se-hun paused for a moment before asking,
"Did you bring the compensation?"
The apology for secretly casting a spell on him during their first encounter.
Of course, he'd noticed it right away back then, so there was no harm done—and he'd even glimpsed Ren's past in the process—but that was due to his own lack of skill. It wasn't something Lee Se-hun needed to factor in.
"Of course. That's why I came to see you today."
Lee Se-hun nodded after a brief hesitation at Ren's relaxed smile.
"Sure, why not."
Clunk.
The limousine door slid open automatically. As soon as Lee Se-hun climbed in across from Ren, it shut and the car glided forward.
Vroom.
The limousine moved silently, without a hint of vibration. Its smooth ride was impressive, but before Lee Se-hun could fully appreciate it, Ren spoke first.
"You here to visit Clodel today?"
"If you mean Lea, then yes... but is that question related to the compensation?"
"No, just personal curiosity."
Ren glanced out the window at the hospital building before continuing calmly.
"I kept an eye on her briefly when we started school together as top students in the department. Professor Rebecca felt the same way, and her parents were big names in the enchanter world while they were alive."
"......"
"I even tried pulling her into the exchange event once, but it didn't work out. She said she hated wasting time on that sort of thing."
Ren chuckled faintly, as if recalling the past, then turned back.
"After that, she fell from top spot, so I just forgot about her. Figured she'd fade away completely."
She had decent innate talent but lacked the power to bring it out.
That was Ren's take on the promising prospect named Lea, which was why he hadn't invested in her.
"But who would've thought she'd grow like this... Totally caught me off guard."
What had turned that clumsy prospect into such a force? Ren seemed to be searching Lee Se-hun for answers. He replied flatly,
"The moment I saw her, I knew she'd go far. Looks like your eye for talent's not what it's cracked up to be."
Of course, he already knew from his past life that Lea would become a successful enchanter—but separately, he'd sensed her talent the instant he recognized the value of the Ink Spider Ring on her wrist.
Missing that meant Ren's standards were sloppy enough to let useful talents slip away.
"My eye for talent's lacking... Yeah, maybe I got too complacent."
Despite the blunt words, Ren nodded as if accepting it.
"I've learned my lesson from this."
He fixed Lee Se-hun with a steady gaze through his glasses, his smile fading.
"Never let go of talent with potential."
Regret over missing Lea. And a vow not to repeat the mistake.
For the first time, Lee Se-hun saw a glimpse of Ren's true feelings. He watched quietly before breaking into a faint smile.
"You're in more of a hurry than before. Back then, you were all confident about becoming family head and snagging me too."
"That was when Erika had you locked down tight. Can't count on that anymore."
During the exchange event, Lee Se-hun had been like a fragile flower that could snap at any moment. Now, he was a ferocious hound.
He'd torn into the neck of the Valmut giant that threatened him, then churned out hero-grade gear one after another, boldly displaying his power.
Even in the Sanctuary Emperor's garden, he was beyond the point of casual observation.
"Let me evaluate your skills as a blacksmith."
In the hero world, judging a blacksmith came down to three simple factors.
First: How high a grade could they produce?
Second: What was their production cycle?
And third: How well could they tailor to a hero's abilities?
"Ignoring material rarity, hitting hero grade gets you an A. Five pieces in under half a year? A+. And crafting a sword usable by Jake Myers? Another A+."
"......"
"Overall, your skill as a blacksmith is A+. With fame and backing, you could aim for the top 100 artisans already."
He was far beyond apprentice level—fully formed as a craftsman.
If he maintained this, he might even produce 'legend-grade' gear. Immense potential.
"Think a talent like that will stick around forever? That's a bit arrogant, don't you think?"
"Hmm......"
Lee Se-hun listened quietly, then made a subtle face.
'Higher evaluation than I expected. Or maybe standards are looser now?'
By the benchmarks from his active past-life days, he was barely scraping A-grade.
His physical limits forced reliance on materials, and effects only supported the user—didn't fully draw out their power.
'Guess standards shift with the era.'
Park Jin-hwan, an A-grade back then, was now B+ for slow work and limited material use. In this stat-obsessed time, Lee Se-hun rated higher.
With a rough sense of how heroes saw him and the blacksmith scene, he eyed Ren.
"So, bottom line: You think I'll get snatched up, so recruit me now?"
"Take it as high praise."
Lee Se-hun scowled at Ren's smooth smile.
"But if you're recruiting, shouldn't you settle the overdue payments first?"
Curious about the compensation, but all he'd gotten was chit-chat.
Ren nodded at the prickly response.
"Fair enough. Here."
Whoosh.
A document envelope from subspace. Not what he'd expected—Lee Se-hun took it quizzically.
'Thought it'd be decent materials or something......'
If it was junk, he'd vowed to craft like he did for Erika's invite. He opened it and read the first page.
[Recent Activities and Key Areas of A-Grade Demon 'Bulgasal']
"......"
His eyes twitched at the contents. His gaze slowly shifted from the paper to Ren.
Killing intent leaked from his sunken eyes. The pressure from his blank expression chilled Ren to the bone.
-Command.
The shikigami's whisper in his ear.
Realizing it had reflexively primed to attack Lee Se-hun, Ren's eyes widened before he smiled.
'This guy's... beyond imagination every time.'
When had anyone provoked such a reaction lately? Calming his surged hostility, Ren commanded.
'Stand down.'
Whoosh.
The faint mana around Ren dissipated. Lee Se-hun, who'd glanced that way, spoke slowly.
"Background checks and now threats. You've always been pushy, but this is next level."
"Sorry about that. Wasn't expecting the threat either. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
Ren gave an awkward look, then eyed the documents in Lee Se-hun's hand.
"Besides, how many heroes haven't looked into you? No bad intentions—just take it as goodwill."
"......"
Lee Se-hun narrowed his eyes suspiciously before returning to the papers.
'Bulgasal......'
The demon who'd killed his parents in his past life.
The unexpected name sparked brief irritation, but he'd gotten full revenge before regression—no losing control at the name alone.
'Come to think of it, I had no clue what he was up to at this point.'
He'd started properly tracking Bulgasal about seven years from now.
He remembered every detail from then perfectly, but his presence might've caused butterfly effects.
'No harm in intel anyway.'
Decision made, Lee Se-hun flipped through for Bulgasal's info.
[Bulgasal 不可殺]
*Identity unknown. Appears as man in mid-to-late 20s. Photo attached.
*Demonization turns body into special metal, partially using ingested ore abilities.
*Strength varies from low A-grade to mid-high depending on ability use. Track metals consumed in combat.
*Affiliated with 'Bellows' in the pleasure district. Only takes missions when low on funds. Specializes in assassination and kidnapping.
*Recently spotted often at 'Black Arms' in Philippines. Suspected searching auction house for something.
"Hmm......"
Lee Se-hun skimmed it, then checked the attached photo.
A man with murky crimson hair and fierce eyes. Twenty years since he'd seen the face, but it was burned in vividly.
'Black Arms......'
An artificial island hidden off the Philippines' coast.
A black market for hard-to-move materials and gear. He'd visited a few times pre-regression.
'Never heard he used it back then. Looking for something special?'
What would drag that flighty guy that far?
Bugging him subtly, Lee Se-hun frowned. Ren added,
"Want a guide? I can help take him down too..."
"No."
Lee Se-hun slid the papers back into the envelope and handed it over.
"This is plenty. Compensation accepted."
Drawing a line, as if no more was needed. Ren stared intently.
"Going there solo will be tough."
"No need to worry. If it's tough, I'll consult Erika."
Lee Se-hun pointed out the window curtly.
"Talk's over. Drop me here."
"......Alright. If that's what you want."
Ren pressed the call button. The limo pulled smoothly to the shoulder, door opening automatically.
As Lee Se-hun stepped out and the door began closing,
Thud!
He grabbed it and leaned back in.
"Nice try, but save the threats for after we're friends. And the compensation? All that hype for this—kinda disappointing."
Long-winded start dropped him from dislike to strong dislike. Bulgasal intel bumped it back to dislike.
Net zero change despite the "gift."
"Worry about yourself more than Erika."
Bang!
The door slammed shut forcefully. Lee Se-hun dusted his hands and headed to the sidewalk.
The limo paused, then rolled alongside. Ren lowered the window with a smile.
"Noted."
Vroom.
It sped ahead and vanished. Watching it go, Lee Se-hun stroked his chin.
'Must've bruised his pride, but that reaction... Maybe as sly as Ice Dog.'
Reconfirming how annoying Erika's rival was, he headed to the dorms, organizing his thoughts.
'Gotta check out Black Arms this time.'
Bulgasal could wait, but whatever he was after nagged him.
The Bellows group he belonged to would later get absorbed by the Watchers' 'Supply,' where most blacksmiths ended up.
'Might be taking jobs from them now. Good to scout—and maybe snag rare materials.'
Pre-regression, the toughest part of Supply's offers was seeing their rare stock.
He'd smashed and grabbed a few then, but now he might score cleanly with good timing.
'Need an expert for that.'
About to pull out his phone,
"Cawww!"
A harsh crow cry ahead.
Looking up, he saw Erika standing stiffly on the path to the dorms.
"......"
Her face unmoving upon seeing him, crow feathers puffed on her shoulder—bad vibes.
Approaching warily, Erika touched her subspace pocket and handed over a pouch.
"Pure Earth Stone. Top rare-grade, best I could get."
The material he'd requested for his third attribute mana, earth. Her eyes lit up as he beamed.
"Whoa, thanks. Timing's perfect..."
"So you'll make my gear now?"
She cut him off, staring intently. Lee Se-hun looked sheepish.
"Ah, I can, but something urgent came up, so just a bit..."
"A sword for Jake Myers."
Her eyes darker than usual, she continued flatly.
"Two spears for Yeom Seong-ha. Two custom pieces for Louise Valente, including the prior one."
"......"
"But nothing for me."
Her words laced with anger, grievance, and sorrow. She met his eyes.
"You hate me?"
The shredded invites, rejecting her party for the Black Lotus raid to team with Jake.
Maybe she'd been hinting at dislike for ages.
Nothing else explained it. Dead serious, she asked. Lee Se-hun looked awkward.
'Did I neglect her this much...?'
Just busy, but reflecting, yeah, it'd gone too far.
'But can't delay with Bulgasal maybe leaving Black Arms anytime......'
Pondering solutions, an idea hit. He asked,
"How good are you at stealth, disguise, assassination, and evidence disposal?"
A brutal question for a cadet, but Erika answered calmly.
"All of them."
"How good?"
"With proper prep, everything but assassination works on A-grades."
All four at expert level. Lee Se-hun nodded decisively.
"Then come with me."
The more help, the better.